Family-friendly things to do at Belton

Child making Christmas cards — Feel festive with some Christmas crafts at Belton | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Explore our fun family day out ideas, including our indoor play area and outdoor adventure playground. Make the most of your day out with the kids at Belton.

Planning your family visit

Booking your visit is no longer required.
The Outdoor Adventure Playground is open daily. Sadly the train is not currently in service due to damage from derailments.
The Ride indoor play area is open daily, 10am to 3.30pm. No pre-booking required. Please note that at busy times, families will be given one hour of timed play.
Baby-changing facilities are available in the parkland, Stables Café, Muddy Hands, and the Ride toilets.

Festive family fun at Belton

The much-loved Christmas light trail is back in the gardens once again from Friday 21 November to Sunday 31 December, offering a chance to make magical memories together with all the family, including the dog!

From laser light shows to fire gardens, floating lights on the lake and brand-new projected illuminations on the house, Christmas at Belton promises to be better than ever before.

Decorations in the house are sure to delight all ages too. The theme this year is Textures and Treasures, which celebrates the magic of materials in the collection, highlighting hidden gems both in the mansion and across the estate with sumptuous displays putting special objects in the spotlight. Children will be able to join Father Christmas’s team of elves, searching for missing golden objects from a present list, all of which have been crafted by a team of volunteers.

Plus, families can join in with festive craft sessions throughout winter on regular Thursdays and Saturdays. These offer the chance to make special personal gifts including stencil Christmas cards, wooden decorations and gift bags.

Woman giving child a piggyback — Wrap up warm for winter adventures at Belton | © National Trust / Rob Stothard

Belton’s outdoor adventure playground

Swing, dangle, wobble, climb and jump your way through, across and over the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground, set within an ancient wilderness.

Play opportunities at Belton encourage challenging playful experiences in a safe environment to facilitate child development at all stages. The equipment’s designed to be challenging.

Only you know the abilities and limitations of the children in your care, so please keep a careful watch on them and make sure they’re playing safely. You’re also encouraged to play in the spaces provided so that everyone can enjoy the play experience.

The equipment is designed to be challenging

As a result, some equipment may not be suitable for all children.

Sadly the train is not currently running

Unfortunately, due to significant damage caused by a derailment, the train will not be running until further notice while repairs are carried out. We are currently fundraising for a new train and would hugely appreciate any support you can give.

Indoor play café

Ideal for a rainy day, here grown-ups get the opportunity to enjoy a refreshment or two, while the kids enjoy the indoor play area. Full of challenging fun for younger children, this is adventure play, not soft play. Find us in the stable yard. No pre-booking required. Please note that at busy times, families will be given one hour of timed play.

Offering a beehive, Bellmount Tower and the Fishing Lodge, joined together with hanging walkways, cargo nets, slides and tunnels – there’s hours of fun to be had. During term times, there will be early years and sensory play equipment for younger visitors.